KEEN bowlers are in an outrage as their green is being vandalised on a daily basis.

A bowling green in Thomasson Park has become the target for a relentless campaign of destruction by 'teenage vandals', defaced with bricks, litter and gas cannisters.

The bowling group believes the culprits are teenagers who climb over railings around the green at night.

Bowlers have even been put in terrifying danger while at the green in the middle of the day, being 'bombarded with bricks' in the bowling huts.

Shelia Worthington, 79, often goes to the green with husband James, the leader of the bowling club.

She said: "It's just relentless. They are doing it every night.

"It has been going on for a while but things are really getting damaged now.

"They throw bricks and they have damaged the bowling huts — the roof is ready for going in now. We paid £1,000 for those huts.

"Just the other day, the men were playing dominoes in the huts and they were being bombarded with bricks. My husband told me to stay away and not to come and pick him up."

Mrs Worthington said that the group often has local primary school children coming down to the green to try out playing bowls as part of their learning. The members say they are trying to keep the area safe for the youngsters.

Mrs Worthington added: "We know the police are so busy, we understand, but we are trying to preserve the green for people who want to play in the future."

Councillor Cliff Morris says the problem calmed down after a railing was built around the green around four years ago, but has only returned with more force in recent months. The Halliwell ward said: "They are taking the enjoyment away from all the people who use the green.

"We were hoping that the fence would help. It seemed to settle down for a few years, but it seems to have come back.

"It's sad we even had to put railing around the green but that is the world we live in. Now people are climbing over that railing, I thought it was quite high when I saw it. I just don't know what else we can do.

"We have got the police involved but we are going to have to ask them to be more vigilant.

"I hope it doesn't put people off using the green."